Michael Curschmann
Michael Curschmann, age 81, died Saturday, October 7, 2017 at home in Princeton. Born in Cologne, Germany, to Hanna and Fritz Heinrich Curschmann, he studied at the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, where he received his PhD. In 1963, he immigrated to the United States with his wife Beryl and infant daughter to take up a position as a medievalist in the German Department at Princeton University, where he remained on the faculty until his retirement in 2002. In the years following, he stayed active as a professor emeritus, continuing to write, speak and participate in academic life until his death.

Michael was a loving and devoted husband to Beryl for over 50 years. Attentive, supportive, and generous to his children, Michael was also a doting grandparent and a loyal brother. Preceded in death by both Beryl and his beloved son Paul, he is survived by his daughter Jane Curschmann, grandsons Yannick Pinoy-Curschmann and Max Curschmann, sister Barbara Haas, and brother-in-law Hans Martin Sauer.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 1 p.m. at The Kimble Funeral Home at One Hamilton Avenue, Princeton. Friends may visit beginning at noon, followed by a service at 1 p.m. Burial will follow privately.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made, in his memory, to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 872, Trenton, NJ 08695.

Extend condolences and share remembrances at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

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Dan Kluchinski

Dan Kluchinski, 54 of Rocky Hill, NJ passed away on October 16 with his husband at his side after an incredible fight with cancer.

Dan is survived by his husband of 29 years — W. J. “Brad” Bradhering; his parents –Joseph and Florence Kluchinski; his brothers (and sister-in-laws) Dave (Dawn) and Don (Carol) Kluchinski; and six nieces and nephews — Joe, Dana, Catherine, Allie, Rachel, and Jack.

Dan graduated from Rutgers and Purdue Universities. He spent his career at Rutgers as a professor, Associate Director of Cooperative Extension and Chair of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dan was an outstanding scientist, educator, administrator and mentor, and touched and influenced the lives of so many. He had a thirst for knowledge and derived great joy and satisfaction from helping others.

Dan was an avid gardener, photographer, loved the beach and ocean, and traveling with friends. He always put others before himself and was a devoted uncle, friend, mentor and colleague. His positive attitude, kindness, boundless energy, and caring nature will be missed by all those who know and love him.

Although his fight with cancer included many challenges, Dan always kept his wonderful smile and sense of humor. His strength, optimism, and passion for life and learning were and will continue to be an inspiration.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorial contributions be made to the Dan Kluchinski Memorial Scholarship Fund; c/o Matt Weismantel; Senior Director – Office of the Chancellor; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; 96 Davidson Road; Piscataway, NJ 08854-8062. Please make checks out to Rutgers Foundation with “Dan Kluchinski Memorial Scholarship” in the memo.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers — they meant so much to Dan.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

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Herbert Henry Rickert

Herb Rickert, 1923-2017, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2017, with Rose, his wife of 66 years, and other family members by his side. The family is grateful for the attention and care of the staff at both Meadow Lakes Assisted Living Facility and at the Princeton University Medical Center.

Herb was born in Gary, Ind., and lived for many years in Illinois, primarily in Champaign-Urbana. He began his career as a specialist in radar, and was a technical school instructor in the US Navy during World War II. He held a BSEE from the U of Illinois (1948) and was a Senior Member of the IEEE. Herb’s first job after his service in the Navy was as a microwave engineer at Wheeler Labs in Great Neck, N.Y., where Rose, a young secretary with great legs, caught his eye. Herb, Rose, and their children moved to Princeton, and Herb was an antenna electrical engineer at RCA Astro-Electronics in East Windsor, N.J., for 23 years before his welcome retirement.

Herb was a faithful and active member of All Saints’ Church in Princeton, where he served on the Vestry, was a Sunday School teacher, was the associate treasurer, was an usher, a greeter, and a lector. He enjoyed playing and watching golf, and always insisted on walking the course.

A quiet man with a keen sense of humor, Herb was happiest in the midst of family noise and confusion. He is survived by his wife, Rose Belfiore Rickert and his children: Nancy Watkins, Waldwick, N.J.; Kenneth Rickert, Levittown, Pa.; Leslie Campbell, Manhattan, Kans.; Neil Swartz, Edison, N.J.; Donald Rickert, Yardley, Pa. Predeceased by his sister Dorothy and his precious granddaughter Allison, Gramps will be missed by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Gwynne, Christopher, Amie, Keelan, Emily, Ruth, Jaimie, Ryan, Anselm, and Cecilia.

A Memorial Service will be held at Meadow Lakes, East Windsor, N.J.; the details will be announced at a later date, which will be posted on HerbRickert.weebly.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Herb’s name to Womanspace through womanspace.org or to Womanspace, Inc, 1530 Brunswick Ave, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. All donations will be acknowledged in a letter to Rose Rickert.

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Jane Merchant Hanna

Jane Merchant Hanna, 82, of Old Chatham, New York, died Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at home surrounded by her family. She spent her last years in Princeton, New Jersey to be closer to family.

She was born in Minneapolis, Minn. to the late Ralph Merchant and Louise (Gorham) Merchant, where she lived until attending Smith College, graduating in 1957. Although she remained on the East Coast for the rest of her life, she always attributed her spirit (which was formidable), determination (equally formidable), and down-to-earth attitudes to her Midwestern heritage.

Jane had two careers: teaching and landscape design. She began her teaching career at the Buckingham School in Cambridge, Mass. and as a middle school math teacher at Albany Academy for Girls after the family moved to Albany N.Y. She retired in 1980, to fulfill her lifelong passion for gardens and gifted eye for design, starting Wendover Farm Nursery. She was also involved in Tannery Pond Concerts, an organization committed to bringing world class Chamber music to the Berkshires at an affordable price.

She met her husband, John Hanna, Jr in Cambridge, Mass. Married in 1958, they lived in Cambridge until 1969 when they moved briefly to Albany before moving to their beloved Wendover Farm in Old Chatham, N.Y. Over 47 years together on the farm, they planted beautiful and abundant gardens, filled the barns with animals, and created a welcoming gathering spot for friends, family, and animals. Jane always loved animals, and collected an impressive array over the years, including a fair number of strays that wandered into the yard and never left. Nothing gave Jane more pleasure than to share Wendover with family and friends. Neighbors and guests were always welcome to gather by the pond for a cookout next to the firebowl. Over the years, Jane and John welcomed many of their friends’ children to spend portions of their summers at Wendover, and these visitors became cherished friends in their own rights. In the later years, having her grandchildren gather together and enjoy the farm provided huge joy, and all nine grandchildren consider time on the farm with Granna some of their most cherished memories.

She is survived her husband of 58 years, John Hanna, Jr, three children: Lili Hanna Morss and her husband Steve of Concord, Mass.; Kate Hanna Morgan of Princeton; Josh Merchant Hanna and his wife Kim of Waukesha, Wisc.; and nine grandchildren: Alexandra, Abigail and Caroline Morss; Sarah, Jasper, Lucy and Annie Morgan: and Will and Genevieve Hanna; and a brother Louis Merchant and his wife Joyce of Wayzata, Minn.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

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CDR Charles L. Bardwell

Charles Laighton Bardwell, USN, 103 of Princeton died Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Merwick Care and Rehabilitation Center in Plainsboro. Born in Tuckahoe, New York on June 19, 1914 to Sarah Hitchcock and Frank Darwin Bardwell. He is predeceased by his parents, three brothers, two nephews, his wife Elizabeth, his daughter Susan, and his son-in-law John Cooley. He is survived by his daughter Annie Cooley, (Hilton Head, S.C.); his grandson Carson Cooley, (Hilton Head, S.C.); his step-grandson Peter Cooley, (New Canaan, Conn.); three nephews and three nieces. He is the decedent of William the Conqueror and the Hamlet of Bardwell, outside of London, is named for his family.

CDR Charles L. Bardwell, reported on February 24, 1956 to NATTS to assume the duties as Executive Officer. Born in Tuckahoe, New York, CDR Bardwell lived there until he entered Pensacola Flight Training in 1939. He attended Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, N.Y. While attending Fordham College, he coached the Roosevelt High School Ice Hockey Team. (I wonder if they ever won any games.) He entered the Naval Reserve and New York Naval Militia in 1932 on the old USS ILLINOIS. On completion of college in 1939, he went into the Aviation Cadet Program and concluded his elimination base training at Floyd Bennett, N.Y. Taught instrument flying at Pensacola and Jacksonville after commissioning as a Naval Aviator. Helped commission Patrol Squadron 33 at Norfolk, Virginia in 1942. Served in Panama with Patrol Squadrons 33 and 1 until 1944. Served in the Pacific area as Executive Officer of Patrol Squadron 9, returning in 1946. Taught NROTC at Princeton University 1946-47. Attended General Line School at Newport 1947-48 and then the junior course at the Naval War College 1948-49. Spent 18 months as Assistant Operations Officer (SEA-AIR RESCUE) for Caribbean Sea Frontier. Returned to the Staff of the Naval War College and Newport until assigned as Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron FIFTY SIX, Norfolk, Virginia in 1953. In November 1954 he assumed the duties as Navigator aboard the USS LEYTE serving there for a period of 16 months prior to reporting as Executive Officer at NATTS. CDR took over the duties as Operations Officer of Fleet Air Wing FOURTEEN now based at San Diego, California.

After retiring from the Navy in 1960, he and his family moved to Princeton where he worked for American Management Association as a program director for 18 years. Upon retirement, he and his wife spent many years enjoying their home on Marco Island, Florida. He is a long-standing member of his beloved Springdale Golf Course and has resided in the Princeton Windrows for the last 16 years where he enjoyed new friends and good times. A special thanks to his caregiver of the last three years (Irene) for making his life so comfortable and the staff of Princeton Windrows for all their kindness over the years.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 2 p.m. at All Saints’ Church, 16 All Saints’ Road, Princeton. Burial will be in All Saints’ Cemetery, followed by a reception at Springdale Golf Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Wounded Warriors.